MONTEVIDEO – Uruguay’s tourism and transport ministries presented on Monday a campaign to encourage both residents and tourists to avoid pirate cabs and buses in favor of transportation services that operate subject to regulation.

Tourism Minister Carlos Fagetti said that the main goal of the program is to offer a “flawless” experience to visitors, as transport is a “decisive factor” in the tourism experience.

According to Fagetti and the general director of Road Transport, Magali Mauad, Uruguay welcomes close to 4 million tourists, some 800,000 of which use buses and taxi cabs.

Mauad said that the campaign also aims to raise awareness about the use of transportation that abides by rules and regulations.

“We are stringent in terms of the requirements needed to provide a formal transportation service,” Mauad said, adding that those seeking to become cabbies must meet their fiscal obligations and have a valid circulation permit, as well as a certificate of technical fitness and insurance.

Official units will have a QR code that allows patrons to obtain information about the vehicle through a smart-phone app.

The Transport Ministry also proposed a “very significant fine” for such vehicles that fail to meet regulations, Mauad said.

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